Qur'an

Respected Sheikh, As-Salamu `alaykum. I am a new convert to Islam and have a question about a certain practice I have observed regarding death. Female family members and friends get together and recite surat Yasin and pray other various prayers together. They keep praying and counting until they reach their target, then they eat (sometimes). I have heard that this is an innovation and not a proper practice. Please advise me with reference to hadith.

Is a Muslim allowed to donate a Qu’ran to a public library? As a part of my da`wah activities, I would like to give copies of the Qur'an with English translation and commentary to my local library. I think this would be a perfect way to get non-Muslims to read the Qur'an, and with that they will be inspired by it and want to learn more about Islam. Maybe it would even bring them to Islam.But I do have concerns. I know that the Qur'an is an honored book, so I don't know if it is even allowed for me to put a Qur'an in the library where it is likely to be treated as any other reading book, getting wear and tear and not respected. If you don't agree, then please provide me with authentic evidence that says I can't, as that is important to me.

In Surat An-Nisaa’ verse 34 it says (in the way I understand it) that men can discipline their wives for moral and other things too. Exactly for what can he do that and why can’t the wife discipline him in other matters? Does this mean that women are less moral than men? And for what does the women have the last word at home? I also understand that the man can hit his wife when it is a matter of nushuz (recalcitrance). If he does then it should be slightly and not with the intention to harm her, also not on the face! Can you correct me if I am wrong and please shed light on the issue raised in the question? Thank you for your time.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Which is better in Almighty Allah’s sight: reciting the Qur’an silently or aloud? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholar! I have heard that there are some repetitions in the Qur’an. To come clear, some non-Muslims claim that the Qur’an repeats some verses even without any significance as is the case in Sura Ar-Rahman. Please comment!

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `alaykum. My question is: in surat Al `Imran Allah says that He sent down the Book and some of its verses are clear while others are allegorical. What is the meaning of the verse 7 in surat Al `Imran?

3- I would like to know the correct understanding of a certain Qur’anic verses in Surat Al-Ma’dah in which Allah Almighty says: “To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute.” (Al-Ma’idah : 48)

As-salamu `alaykum. Can I give the Qur’an as a gift to someone? If that person does not read it will I still get a reward?

As-Salamu `alaykum. Can you tell me the reward for learning and memorizing the Qur’an?

Is it not a factor of the disintegration of the Muslim Ummah that there are deep differences in opinion among the Muslims though they believe in one God, follow one Prophet and have one heavenly Book (the Qur’an)?My question revolves around Allah’s Book. The Salafis, an influential sect among Muslims, adopt the view that the Shiites are apostates, claiming that the Shiites do not believe in the Qur’an that the Sunnis believe in. According to the Salafis, the Shiites’ claim that they believe in the Qur’an is a kind of taqiyyah (professing a certain belief to ward off the wrath of the authority). I argue that the Shiites no longer need to practice taqiyyah. Why they should do so when they have a state under their authority and can protect themselves? Moreover, they declare whatever opinions they hold even if these opinions anger the Salafis and Sunnis. Besides, if they have a Qur’an other than that which the Sunnis believe in, why is there no copy that is different from the Qur’an that is compiled and agreed upon all over the world? Above all, does not Almighty Allah say, and most truthful are His words: ‘‘We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)’’ (Al-Hijr: 9)?Would the claim that the Shiite sect has another Qur’an not contradi ct the meaning of this verse? How would the Qur’an be guarded against corruption if there is another version of it? I also wonder if the Shiites do not really believe in the Qur’an, why some eminent scholars have tried to bring the views of the Shiites and Sunnis close together? On what bases and for what reasons would this closeness be founded?However, there are some controversial questions that a fellow Muslim has raised in this regard. In fact, this fellow seems to be concerned with proving that the Shiites do not believe in the Qur’an. He argues thus:The Imamite Shiites are unanimous that they all believe in the authenticity of the Qur’an without denial of even a letter of it. We have no alternative but to believe what they say in this regard, but some questions are raised that cast doubt about their truthfulness in this respect. We are almost sure that their saying so is but a matter of taqiyyah I wish we may be wrong in this belief, but the points that make us doubt their truthfulness are worthy of consideration, and I hope they have answers for them. These points can be summed up as follows.First, the majority of the early Shiite scholars were reported to have declared that the Qur’an is incomplete. The Shiites tried to claim that the incompleteness meant here has to do with the interpretation of the Qur’an, not with the Qur’an itself, but the words their imams were quoted to have said in this respect do not support this claim.Second, one of their eminent scholars wrote a book in which he tried to prove that the Qur’an has been altered, and he cited more than 1,200 hadiths to assert this claim.Third, the Shiite scholar Al-Jazairi said point blank that the belief that the Qur’an has not been altered contradicts the hadiths whose various chains of narrators lift them to the degree of authenticity, and all these hadiths indicate the alteration of the Qur’an.Fourth, the Shiites accuse the Sunnis of altering the Qur’an, too. I read what one of their scholars wrote on this. According to this scholar, the Shiites tried to prove that the Sunnis’ compilation of the Qur’an was incorrect, and, moreover, reported the Sunnis as saying that the Qur’an is incomplete. I have disregarded their, for it is groundless. It is widely known that the Sunni scholars’ belief in the completeness of the Qur’an and the authenticity of its compilation are beyond doubt.This Shiite attitude raises a very serious question: If the Sunnis have altered the Qur’an, as they say, why do they declare that they unanimously believe in this Qur’an?The Shiites either lie about their accusing the Sunnis of altering the Qur’an, or they lie about their belief in it. I wonder which of these attitudes they really follow.This fellow’s argument may be somewhat controversial, but, in my opinion, the question he has raised really needs a detailed and clear answer.I know my question is long, and I am sorry for this. But I am really concerned about this issue and I hope you may provide me with a clear answer that will help me form my opinion in this respect, which, I believe, I will be brought to account for before Almighty Allah.I consider this issue serious, especially as I heard that a Muslim who calls another Muslim an apostate has become an apostate himself, and a Muslim who calls a person whose disbelief is clear a Muslim has also become an apostate.

My Sheikh! As-Salaam `Alaykum! In a discussion with my non-Muslim friend, he raised a very important point which I could not answer. He asked: “If the Qur’an is the final testament of God, then it should include perfect guidance.” I nodded, yes. He continued: “Does the Qur’an contain reference to modern scientific discoveries?” Please help! Jazakum Allah Khairan!

bid`ah?

As-Salamu `Alaykum. If some one had an oath on Qur’an and broke his oath, how can he make his Kaffarah? 

As-Salamu `alaykum. What is the reality of the mathematical code 19 which they say it proves that the QUR’AN is a miracle?

Dear scholar, as-Salamu `alaykum! Could you explain why surat At-Tawbah does not start with the Basmallah ?

Dear scholars, Living in a world of theories and various explanations of every field of human activity, one may ask: “Where is Islam in all this?” I cannot find anything about the Qur’anic approach to history. What does Islam have to say on history? What is the concept of history in the Qur’an?

Dear Muslim scholars, As-Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh. Is covering the `Awrah necessary when one is reading the Glorious Qur’an. Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `Alaykum. Are there words of non-Arabic origin in the Qur’an? Can you tell me which words? I would be very thankfully for your help and may Allah give you reward for it!

As-Salamu `alaykum. Does one need to have wudu' in order to read or handle a book containing a couple of surahs such as surat Yasin? Is this the same as one who handles the Qur’an?

Some people are trying to spread words against Qur'an. They say, "Muslims don't have the same Qur'an as was at the time of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)." They say, "Muslims have lost some parts of the Qur'an." Although they don't call themselves Shi`ah who believe, on the basis of a Hadith, that "There were originally 40 Juz' (parts) in the Qur'an, but now we are left with only 30 Juz'."; yet they believe the same. Before I could ask you questions, my view is that whoever says that some part of the Qur'an has been lost, says directly or indirectly that "Allah is lying" in Qur'an, when He says: "We, have without doubt sent down the Message and We Assuredly Guard it." (Al-Hijr: 9) "It is for Us to Collect (Compile) it a and to Recite it." (Al-Qiyama: 17) "There is No Doubt in it." (Al-Baqara: 2) QUESTION-1: Should these people (who indirectly say Allah is lying) be called Muslims? QUESTION-2: Should we believe such a Hadith as true which says that Muslims have lost a part of the Qur'an? QUESTIONS-3: If that Hadith is in a book that is written by a Muslim scholar, should we rely on such book? QUESTION-4: Should we listen to such scholar?

Dear scholars, As-Salaam `Alaykum. I want to ask about the Hadith which states: “Who reads Surat al-Waqi`ah every night will never be poor.” Is this an authentic (Saheeh) Hadith? Jazakum Allah khayran.

I heard that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that in order for the Qur’an to say on the Day of Judgment that I have not abandoned it, I must have finished reading all of it at least once a month. Is that true? Also, when reading, do I have to read with tajweed or can I read normally like reading a magazine? My Arabic is poor, and reading with tajweed takes a long time. I would appreciate a brief answer.

As-Salamu `alaykum! I want to know the meaning of the disjointed letters in the Qur’an such as “Alif Lam Mim”.

The Qur'an was revealed in the form of separate verses upon Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It was only at the time of the Caliph `Uthman Ibn `Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Qur'an was collected in the order it is today. Can you please elaborate on who decided the current order of the Qur'an (I mean the order of the verses and the surahs (chapters) in the present form)? Can you also mention how it was all done? May Allah reward you for the service you are providing!

As-Salamu `alaykum. I am one of those unlucky men who did not read the Holy Qur'an. In fact, when I was young I read perhaps three surahs and after that I don't know what happened. My family is in Lahore where all my children have read the Qur'an. My question is whether I can read the Holy Qur'an in English or not. Please let me have your worthy opinion.

As-salamu `alaykum. Is it OK to recite the Qur’an without knowing the rules of tajwid? Thank you.

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `alaykum. Are there times in the day one should not recite Qur’an, just as there are times one should not offer optional Salah (prayer)?

Dear sir, I have a question to ask: Why didn't Allah choose to preserve the earlier messages (Torah, Gospel, etc.) the way He took upon Himself the task of preserving the accuracy and authenticity of Qur'an?

Dear Scholar, as-salamu `alaykum.thank you for your time and the efforts you devote to Allah's Cause and spreading His Word everywhere. I would like to know the best way by which one should welcome Ramadan and get its blessed rewards. Jazakum Allah Khayran.